December 2014 business inventories were $1,764.4 billion, up 0.1 percent from November and up 3.9 percent from December 2013. Sales were $1,331.2 billion, down 0.9 percent from the previous month but up 0.9 percent from one year earlier.

January 2015 retail and food services sales were $439.8 billion, a decrease of 0.8 percent from December 2014 but up 3.3 percent from January 2014. Excluding automobiles, retail and food services sales in January 2014 were $349.4 billion, down 0.9 percent from the prior month but up 1.7 percent from one year earlier.

December 2014 wholesale inventories were $547.6 billion, up 0.1 percent from the revised November level and up 6.7 percent from December 2013. Sales were $449.8 billion, down 0.4 percent from the revised November level but up 1.4 percent from December 2013.

American Businesses Drive Record Goods Exports to 52 Countries

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that U.S. exports in 2014 set a record for the fifth consecutive year, reaching $2.35 trillion. International Trade in U.S. Goods and Services data released today by the U.S. Department of Commerce show that U.S. exports are up more than $760 billion since 2009.

Construction spending in December 2014 was $982.1 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, up 0.4 percent from the revised November 2014 estimate and up 2.2 percent from December 2013. For the full year 2014, construction spending was $961.4 billion, up 5.4 percent from 2013.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis today reported that real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014, according to the advance estimate.

Washington, D.C. – Under Secretary of Economic Affairs Dr. Mark Doms will participate in a conference call hosted by Business Forward this Friday, to discuss the newest GDP figures released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis that morning. The conference call will also feature Beth Ann Bovino, Chief Economist for Standard and Poor's.

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About the Economics & Statistics Administration

The Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) plays three key roles within the Department of Commerce (DOC). ESA provides timely economic analysis, disseminates national economic indicators, and oversees the U.S. Census Bureau (Census) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). In this latter role, ESA works closely with the leadership at BEA and Census on high priority management, budget, employment, and risk management issues, integrating the work of these agencies with the priorities and requirements of the Department of Commerce and other government entities.